From a terrifyingly fun night out to a German Christmas experience – the winners of York’s tourism Oscars showcase the diversity and quality of our city’s leisure industry.
More than 500 people packed into the National Railway Museum on Thursday night (June 22) for the annual tourism awards, hosted by Minster FM breakfast show hosts Ben Fry and Ellie Brennan.
Other honours went to the finest food and drink outlets, shops and accommodation.
And in a new category this year, the award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism went to Chinese York resident Will Zhuang for his commitment and services to promoting York in China.
Hotly contested
All ready to go @railwaymuseum for the @VisitYork Tourism Awards #VYTA17 pic.twitter.com/jPh4OoX4hW
— Minster FM Breakfast (@BenandEllieB) June 22, 2017
Now in their 20th year, the Visit York Tourism Awards celebrate individuals and companies who offer that extra special service and experience for York’s 6.9 million visitors.
In two of the most hotly contested categories, Tower Guest House scooped B&B of the Year, and best hotel went to The Principal York.
Restaurant of the Year title went to The Whippet Inn Steak and Alehouse while El Piano won in the title best café for the third year in a row.
In the attraction categories York Art Gallery (over 50,000 visits) and the National Centre for Birds of Prey (under 50,000 visits), at Helmsley, both came out on top.
Käthe Wohlfahrt, the traditional German Christmas shop, which opened in the former Mulberry Hall building in August 2016, were delighted to collect the award for best retail experience, less than a full year trading in the city.
The full list of winners is below.
– Head of Visit York Sally Greenaway
Will power
Recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award Will Zhuang is originally from Shanghai.
He ran Carousel Guest House in York for 11 years with his wife Jean and today is executive head teacher at the York Chinese School.
Over the last few years Will has supported Visit York on a voluntary basis helping to build the city’s profile in China.
He has run Visit York’s social media channels in Chinese on Weibo and Wechat and boosted the profile of the city by bringing top Chinese TV Presenter Xiaodong on a trip to see the city, along with 100 of his Chinese fans.
Visit York marketing manager: “Since our first meeting with Will he has gone above and beyond to help us nurture our relationships in China.”
Full list of the winners
B&B of the Year
Winner: Tower Guest House
2 Feversham Crescent, York
Highly Commended: The Bar Convent Guest House
Finalists:
Carr House Farm Bed and Breakfast
Lil’s on the Waterfront
Sponsored by Little Hotelier
Café or Tearoom of the Year
Winner: El Piano
Grape Lane, York
Finalists:
Countess of York at the National Railway Museum
The Balloon Tree Farmshop & Café
The Garden Room at The Principal York
Sponsored by Booker York
Conference Venue of the Year
Winner: The Principal York
Station Road, York
Highly Commended: The National Centre for Early Music (NCEM)
Finalists:
The Bar Convent (Conferencing)
York Science Park
Sponsored by Colour Options
Family Friendly Experience of the Year
Winner: Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland
York Designer Outlet
Finalists:
The Bloody Tour of York
York Art Gallery
York Maze
Sponsored by P&O Ferries
Hotel of the Year
Winner: The Principal York
Station Road, York
Finalists:
Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa
Hotel du Vin York
Hotel Indigo York
The Black Swan Hotel
Sponsored by Streamline Taxis
Newcomer of the Year
Winner: Can You Escape? York
Micklegate, York
Finalists:
Brew York Craft Brewery & Tap Room
Joe’s Kitchen
Staycity Paragon Street York
The Botanist York
Sponsored by Hungate York Regeneration
Outstanding Customer Service
Winner: Alison Storey (York Racecourse)
Finalists:
Anna Bialockleb (The Whippet Inn)
Damian Palmer-Bunting (Robin Hood Caravan)
Edward Kelly (Stay City)
Frank Caulfield (Dean Court Hotel)
Sponsored by Manchester Airport
Pub of the Year
Winner: Pairings Wine Bar
Castlegate, York
Finalists:
The Blue Bell
The Chapter House at The Principal York
The Drovers Arms
Thomas’s of York Pub & Kitchen
Sponsored by Hunter Gee Holroyd
Restaurant of the Year
Winner: The Whippet Inn Steak & Alehouse
North Street, York
Finalists:
Ambiente Tapas
Melton’s Restaurant
The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub
The Raj
The Weathervane Restaurant
Sponsored by Morrell Middleton
Self-catering Venue of the Year
Winner: The Old Brewery
Ogleforth, York
Highly Commended: Robin Hood Caravan & Camping Park
Finalists:
Forest Holidays
York Stay Holidays
Sponsored by Yorkshire Laundry
Shopping Experience of the Year
Winner: Käthe Wohlfahrt
Stonegate, York
Finalists:
Bishy Road
Pandora’s Box
Seasalt
Sponsored by York BID
Visitor Attraction of the Year (Over 50,000 Visitors)
Winner: York Art Gallery
Exhibition Square, York
Finalists:
Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum
Energi Trampoline Park York
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
The York Dungeon
Sponsored by F R Fowler & Son
Visitor Attraction of the Year (Under 50,000 Visitors)
Winner: National Centre for Birds of Prey
Duncombe Park, Helmsley
Finalists:
Go Ape Dalby
The Bloody Tour of York
York Army Museum
Sponsored by First Group
Visitor Experience of the Year
Winner: Hallowscream at York Maze
Elvington Lane, York
Finalists:
BOBH – Day Trips from York
Eboracum Roman Festival
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland
Sponsored by Virgin Trains East Coast
Visit York Outstanding Contribution Award 2017
Awarded to: Will Zhuang
Sponsored by The Great Yorkshire Fringe
York cinema sold – new owner plans major refurbishment including a restaurant and bar
From an overhaul of car parks to illuminated bridges – 9 schemes that could soon improve York